OVERVIEW
The Survey of Principal Transport Enterprises (SPTE) surveys selected major Australian transport operators which are likely to purchase, or sell major items of transport equipment (e.g. aircraft or ships) or make any public sector prepayments for this equipment. The survey is run monthly.

PURPOSE
The SPTE data are used to make any necessary major timing or coverage adjustments to the International Merchandise Trade statistics. These adjustments are necessary as balance of payment statistics are compiled on a "change of ownership basis", whereas merchandise statistics are recorded when the goods cross the custom frontier. These adjustments can apply to the export or import of large value transportation equipment, such as aircraft or ships.

SCOPE
The scope of the SPTE covers major Australian transport operators which are likely to purchase, or sell major items of transport equipment abroad (e.g. aircraft and ships). All smaller resident transport operators are ignored.

DATA DETAIL

Conceptual framework
The conceptual framework used in Australia's Balance of Payment, including the SPTE is substantially based on the framework provided by the International Monetary fund's "Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual" (sixth edition, 2009).

The Australian balance of payments is a statistical statement designed to provide a systematic record of Australia's economic transactions with the rest of the world. It may be described as a system of consolidated accounts in which the accounting entity is the Australian economy and the entries mostly refer to economic transactions between residents of Australia and residents of the rest of the world (non-residents).

For further information refer to Balance of Payments and International Investment Position, Australia Concepts Sources and Methods (ABS Cat. No. 5331.0).

Main outputs
The information in the SPTE is combined with other data to produce trade in goods and services on a Balance of Payments basis in the following statistical releases:

The monthly International Trade in Goods and Services, Australia (ABS Cat. No. 5368.0)

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